What to Bring on a Hike

Are you heading out for a single or multi-day hiking trip and wondering what to pack and what to leave? Are you struggling and dreading the bag packing moments? Are you stuck between “I want to take this with me! OH! Wait, I don’t want to carry tons of things. Well, sit back; take a deep breath because you’re not alone. You’re in the right place, go through those comprehensive guidelines, and tip to get you started for a delightful activity.

Hiking is always fun, where you explore nature along with your loved ones and some time alone. Whether you want to discover the wild forest in the mountains or spend some leisure time in national parks closer to your home, these tips will help you to get started.

But before starting to make sure you’re prepared to go through a wide range of situations and condition. Check the weather condition. If you’re spending your whole time out on a trail, it’s necessary to wear comfortable cloth and footings so you can enjoy the most of the fresh air.

Following Are Eight Essentials You Must Carry

1.Water: hydration is the key. Water will help you to get going for a more extended period. Make sure the water is pure and clean because the worst thing you can imagine while hiking is diarrhea. One liter of water is enough for a short hike. Calculate your water requirement depending on the number of day’s you’re spending out.

2.Whistle: there are chances of getting lost in woods and in this crucial time you don’t need to scream your lungs out blow the whistle and get on the right track back. Many bag packs have whistle attached inside.

3.Weather protectant: weather is always the most unpredictable factor while hiking. The weather forecast may say it’s going to be a sunny day and you can found yourself stuck in a rainfall. So it’s a rule that always carries a jacket. While hiking your lips get burnt before your skin so carry a lip balm and apply sunscreen. You should wear layers of clothes so you can adjust body temperature accordingly but make sure they are super comfy!

4.Knife:during hiking, a knife is the ultimate surviving tool. From cutting badges to cutting the additional herbs or peeling of a bark of a giant tree, it’s an all in one tool. You can also dig a cat hole for toilet purposes.

5.Food: hiking is like doing a strenuous workout. So if you don’t want to go cranky and can’t see yourself fading because of glucose crashing, carry some energy-dense snacks. Protein bars and chocolate biscuits are a better option than some from the flask.

6.First aid kit: you don’t need surgical tools it’s just a few bandages and antiseptic solution to avoid infection at the site of injury. Medical tape can be used in case of a sprained ankle, securing a splint, and covering a wound. If your health is already compromised, don’t forget to carry personal medications like inhalers or painkillers.

7.Map/compass/GPS: GPS is a technological tool to use while hiking but it’s not a reliable source. What if the battery dies, what if it breaks or falls? Plenty of hikers prefer map and compass, but some of them use GPS. Depending on your choice and skill, carry a tool for assessing the directions.

8.Firestarter: if in any unwanted circumstances, you have to spend an extra night out on mountains, you must have some fire starter. Fire will keep you warm and save you from becoming hypothermic. It can also be used as sending a signal for help.

9.Insect repellent: no one wants to spoil their journey owing to a bug bite. So it is suggested to apply and carry insect repellent to keep those things away from you

10.Spare socks: an absolute must! You won’t regret rather you will thank yourself for taking an extra pair of socks when you’re all wet and dirty and want to get cozy before falling asleep on mountains.

11.Hand sanitizer: if you don’t want to get an infection and want to kill bacteria floating on your hands, use hand sanitizer before having your meal or snacks.The most important of all is the backpack. Make sure its light in weight and of easy to wear size.

Here is a quick checklist of other essentials varying according to the type of hiking and number of days

•Hiking poles

•Bag for trash

•Field guide

•Wet wipes

•Emergency blanket

•Notebook and pen

•Watch

•Camera

•Pair of walkie-talkie

•Post-hike snacks and clothes

•Torch

•Portable charger

•Headlamp

•Extra food

We have weed out essentials you may need while hiking. Don’t panic or you will end up over packing for a hike. So now this is the right time to gear up for shoestring adventure. You may be out of your comfort zone for a while but don’t forget to make sure that this experience worth the effort.